English critics hit out at Fleming’s appointment

Kiwi Stephen Fleming is the latest foreign coach to be snapped up for the new ‘The Hundred’ competition – a move which has been blasted by several former England captains.

Ex-New Zealand captain Fleming will return to Nottingham, where he played county cricket for Nottinghamshire between 2005-07.

He has been confirmed as men’s coach for the Nottingham-based Trent Rockets for the inaugural ‘The Hundred’ competition.

‘The Hundred’ is the title of a eightteam professional 100-ball cricket league. It launches in July 2020.

An influx of overseas coaches has angered former England captains Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan, who both argue homegrown coaches should be given a chance. Seven of the men’s teams are being guided by foreigners with Australians Shane Warne, Andrew McDonald, Darren Lehmann, and Simon Katich all involved.

Former Sri Lankan batting star Mahela Jayawardene is the men’s coach for Southampton’s Southern Brave, while South African Gary Kirsten is in charge of Cardiff’s Welsh Fire.

‘‘It is shambolic,’’ Vaughan told The Test Match Special show. ‘‘I think it is disgraceful we are not going to have one men’s coach in The Hundred.’’

Vaughan described it as a slap in the face for promising England coaches and said it was a bad look for the country’s coaching pathways.

He did understand some of the ‘‘big name’’ appointments as they helped raised the profile of the game, but to not have any Englishmen involved was disappointing.

‘‘Jonathan Trott is in coaching, Paul Collingwood is a coach, Chris Silverwood, Graham Thorpe, you can go through the list. Paul Nixon is doing a good job at Leicester.’’

Strauss, the former England captain and director of England cricket, was also upset no homegrown coaches were featuring in the men’s competition.

He said it was the perfect situation for English coaches to extend their coaching knowledge and get an opportunity.